Thread by @rambletastic

Part 2: That's what @CGDev is about to me (in research/policy/mission , not hiring of MA students, of course) - changing life trajectories. Treating everyone as people. Trying to make sure it's not just the lucky few who get a chance to do transformative things. Using data 23/

But not forgetting unmeasurable soft information, and people, and empathy, and voice, and empowerment. 24/

And I was right about the life changing bit, by the way - an incredibly pivotal experience. Hardest job I'll ever do. Most meaningful job, maybe, too. I made a ton of mistakes; tried not to make the same mistake twice, but probably did that too. 25/

(There's a final report from me on my fellowship somewhere in @CGDev's archives that I'd post here if I could find it but can't; if someone does please do pass along the link) 25.5/

Learned a ton. Thought a ton. Realized that no one had investigated what felt to me like really important questions. Went and got a Ph.D. to look into a few. And lucked into a blessed, incredibly fortunate life. I kind of can't believe I get to call what I do a job. 26/

.@CGDev has brought me into contact with so many wonderful people I likely wouldn't know otherwise - Antoinette Sayeh. @MollyKinder (and thus half the people I know it seems!) @nancymbirdsall. @PCICarrie and Steve Radelet. @conordhartman. @dhymowit. @stanger_emily. @toddjmoss 27/

Later, @charlesjkenny. @JustinSandefur. @m_clem (don't let him know he's the model scholar I had in mind when I wrote that bit ;-). Dennis Detray. I could go on for many, many more names, but this is already at "bad Oscars acceptance speech" so will stop. 28/

CGD's continued to be a small but pretty important, and always positive, part of my life - from attending seminars and web streams to reading pubs to realizing CGD was full of models of what being a scholar I could admire was like & aspire to. 29/

To actually being asked to PRESENT at CGD. And now being asked to formally be a part of the "CGD family"... I really, really appreciate it, I guess I'm trying to say. Thank you, @Fihi_maFihi, for making this happen (with @owenbarder). 30/

But maybe one last thing. After I got the job, in the spring of 2007 @WilsonSchool I was kinda flirting with this pretty awesome woman. At some point I got the guts to ask her out; the day that worked for her for date 1 I was just coming back from Fellows orientation in DC. 31/

So we met up in Trenton to watch a Trenton Thunder AA baseball game. I was feeling great, so psyched for this job. We had an awesome date. And then another. And then another. And then some years down the line, we got married; fellow Scott Fellow @BenjaminSpatz MC'd. 32/

Maybe I would have lucked into fooling @OzselB to marry me without CGD. But I dunno; impressions stick, relationship are path dependent. If I hadn't been in such a good mood that evening in Trenton, who knows? 33/

So, in sum: Many thanks, @CGDev. So honored to join the family. As you can possibly tell, it means a lot to me, and, y'know, look forward to working with you. And also, if you care I still almost never wear a tie, and have lots of love for Wilmington. (fin)

Footnote: And in case you're wondering how the heck I have time to write this thread, I'm in an airport lounge too tired to do anything else, before boarding a loong set of flights (only 2 flights, but 23:30 hrs of travel) so trying not to sleep. Thanks for reading.

.@threadreaderapp unroll, please